Chapter 7: The Empires of Persia

Due: Friday, September 4, 2015

Overview

This chapter describes the series of empires that arose in Persia (modern-day Iran) and controlled much of the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and India for over one thousand years, from about 550 B.C.E. through 650 C.E. The first empire, founded by Cyrus the Achaemenid, expanded under him and his successors until it became the largest empire the world had ever seen. The four Persian dynasties of this era (Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanid) were noted for several important developments.

  • Tightly governed administration with networks of educated bureaucrats, tax collectors, and spies to maintain the order and the authority of the emperor
  • The development of qanats, underground canals, to support the economic foundation of the empires: agriculture
  • Sophisticated policies promoting long-distance trade such as standardized coinage, road building, a courier service, accessible marketplaces, and banks and investment companies
  • The emergence and elaboration of Zoroastrianism, a popular and influential religion whose teachings demanded high moral and ethical standards

Reading Questions (Vocabulary terms should be highlighted throughout answer)

  1. What were the most important elements enabling the Achaemenids to hold their empire together? What were those particular innovations of government that established administrative traditions that went on to influence the region for centuries to come? Also, what led to the eventual collapse of the empire?
  2. Compare the political method(s) that allowed the Seleucids, Parthians, and Sasanids to maintain strong imperial rule.
  3. Describe social development in classical Persia.
  4. Describe the economic foundations of classical Persia.
  5. Analyze the changes and continuities in religious practices that resulted from Zoroastrianism.

Reading Schedule:

Intro and Section 1: The Rise and Fall of Persian EmpiresTuesday, September 8, 2015

Section 2: Imperial Society and EconomyWednesday, September 9, 2015

Section 3: Religions of Salvation in Classical Persian SocietyThursday, September 10, 2015

Chapter 7: The Empires of Persia

Directions: As you read the chapter, complete the SPICE chart below. (Vocabulary terms should be highlighted throughout outline AND you should talk about EACH topic listed in the left and right hand margins or your text)

AP Themes
SOCIAL
  • Family/ kinship
  • Gender roles/relations
  • Social and economic classes
  • Racial/ ethnic factors
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyles
  • “Haves” & “have nots”

POLITICAL
  • Leaders/groups
  • Forms of government
  • Empires
  • State building/expansion
  • Political structures
  • Courts/laws
  • Nationalism/nations
  • Revolts/revolutions

INTERACTIONS (WITH PEOPLE AND THE ENVINRONMENT)
  • War/conflict
  • Diplomacy/treaties
  • Alliances
  • Exchanges between individuals, groups, & empires/nations
  • Trade/commerce
  • Globalization Location
  • Physical
  • Human/environment
  • Migration/movement
  • Region
  • Demography
  • Neighborhood
  • Urbanization
  • Settlement patterns
  • Disease
  • Cities (2 major ones)

CULTURAL
  • Religion
  • Belief systems and teachings
  • Philosophy
  • Holy books
  • Conversion
  • Key figures
  • Deities
  • Art
  • Music
  • Writing/literature
  • Philosophy
  • Math
  • Science
  • Architecture
  • Technology
  • Innovations
  • Transportation

ECONOMY
  • Agricultural/pastoral
  • Economic systems
  • Labor systems/ organizations
  • Industrialization
  • Technology/industry
  • Capital/money
  • Business organizations

Chapter 7: The Empires of Persia

Directions: As you read the chapter, complete the SPICE chart below. (Vocabulary terms should be highlighted throughout outline AND you should talk about EACH topic listed in the left and right hand margins or your text)

AP Themes
SOCIAL
  • Family/ kinship
  • Gender roles/relations
  • Social and economic classes
  • Racial/ ethnic factors
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyles
  • “Haves” & “have nots”

POLITICAL
  • Leaders/groups
  • Forms of government
  • Empires
  • State building/expansion
  • Political structures
  • Courts/laws
  • Nationalism/nations
  • Revolts/revolutions

INTERACTIONS (WITH PEOPLE AND THE ENVINRONMENT)
  • War/conflict
  • Diplomacy/treaties
  • Alliances
  • Exchanges between individuals, groups, & empires/nations
  • Trade/commerce
  • Globalization Location
  • Physical
  • Human/environment
  • Migration/movement
  • Region
  • Demography
  • Neighborhood
  • Urbanization
  • Settlement patterns
  • Disease
  • Cities (2 major ones)

CULTURAL
  • Religion
  • Belief systems and teachings
  • Philosophy
  • Holy books
  • Conversion
  • Key figures
  • Deities
  • Art
  • Music
  • Writing/literature
  • Philosophy
  • Math
  • Science
  • Architecture
  • Technology
  • Innovations
  • Transportation

ECONOMY
  • Agricultural/pastoral
  • Economic systems
  • Labor systems/ organizations
  • Industrialization
  • Technology/industry
  • Capital/money
  • Business organizations

Chapter 7: The Empires of Persia

Vocabulary List

Term / Definition/significance
Iran / Definition:
Significance:
Cyrus and Darius / Definition:
Significance:
Achaemenid Empire / Definition:
Significance:
Parthian Empire / Definition:
Significance:
Bactria / Definition:
Significance:
Anatolia / Definition:
Significance:
Satraps / Definition:
Significance:
Royal Road / Definition:
Significance:
Qanat / Definition:
Significance:
Tribute / Definition:
Significance:
Magi / Definition:
Significance:
Zoroastrianism / Definition:
Significance:
Xerxes / Definition:
Significance:
Seleucid Empire / Definition:
Significance:

Mapping

Identify the following on the map below (be sure to include a MAP KEY to distinguish the different empires:

Achaemenid Empire

Seleucid Empire

Parthian Empire

Sasanid Empire

Royal Road

Arabia

Egypt

Anatolia

Bactria

Babylonia

Persia

Hindu Kush